We’re attached to different types of screens all day long, but what happens when the screen is attached to your face?
That’s a question about the effects on eye health virtual realitywhich describes a technology that transports you to a new world where everything around you looks real enough to interact with, but is virtual. There are many types of VR games and worlds you can get into that companies like Meta have made VR headsets mainstream as devices that more people have at home. People usually use the term “VR” when describing an example of someone putting on a headset and waving around in a world in front of them that doesn’t exist, but there is similar but different technology in the form of augmented reality or ‘mixed’ reality. Other popular brands of these immersive headsets include Apple Vision Pro.
Since VR requires that headset (which looks like you’re strapping a giant, screen-filled pair of goggles onto your head), it begs the question: what’s the impact?
To get relevant health information about VR and your eyes, we spoke with two ophthalmologists (doctors who specialize in the eye and visual system). Here’s what they have to say.
Can VR affect vision?
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The medical consensus on what generally happens to your eyes when you look at a screen is that these are symptoms of digital tired eyesincluding dry eyes and headaches. Although irritating, this usually does not cause permanent damage to your vision in the long term. This includes what we currently know about the blue light emitted by screens; it can disrupt your sleep, but research so far has not shown this to be the case enough to damage the eye or your sight.
According to Dr. Robert Kinast, an ophthalmologist and CEO and co-founder of Gentle descentit’s basically the same story for VR.
“The two biggest risks of virtual reality are eye strain and dry eyes, which can be painful but usually does not cause eye damage,” Kinast said.
Considering VR or mixed reality is so immersive (if you need proof, read CNET’s review of the Meta quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro), and you’re so attuned to what’s happening right in front of you, you may even blink less than what would normally be an indication of digital eye strain, according to Dr. Ranjodh S. Boparai, eye surgeon and CEO of Corneal care.
“I think the level of focus your brain will put into (VR) will be very high,” Boparai said. “And when you’re really focused on things, you naturally blink less.”
Another question about how VR or mixed reality headsets strain your eyes, or to what extent, has to do with how far away the “object” you’re looking at is, how much depth the world allows, and how your eyes adapt to that . observe it.
“In normal daily functioning, we rely on our eyes to be able to zoom in, see near and far, and switch between these two things,” Boparai said, using his ability to look away from his eyes . computer screen and to a further point in his office as an example.
This could then be that one factor in the extent to which your eyes become tired how your eyes focuswhich may vary depending on the specific technology and whether your reality is more virtual or blended, for example. Research may be needed into how different devices or technologies relate to each other.
Another health phenomenon that Boparai pointed out when looking into VR is the fact that people prone to motion sickness can feel ill when wearing a VR headset. This is because there is a ‘mismatch’ between what your brain perceives (movement) and what actually happens.
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Now that the reality of myopia risk in children extends to VR?
Myopia, or nearsightedness and difficulty seeing far away, is one growing public health problem that can, at least to some extent, be prevented or reduced. Existing research into children’s vision shows this children and teenagers whose eyes are still “growing” are at greater risk of myopia when they spend money more time indoors, including indoors “at work” activity such as computer games or reading, and less time outside.
However, it has been difficult to tease apart the extent to which these factors contribute to the increasing rate of myopia. According to Kinast, the “close” or “near-to-work” component may be due to the accommodation process our eyes undergo when we look at something up close and what this requires of the eye’s lens.
“In children, there is some evidence that this persistent accommodation may send a signal to the eye to take longer,” he said, which can worsen myopia. Severe myopia is a health concern (think prescription of around -6 or higher) because there is a link between being very nearsighted or having a very highly myopic prescription and the risk of eye problems such as retinal detachment or glaucoma.
We know what you’re thinking: Technology is to blame, given the increasing access kids have to screens and wearable devices at younger ages. According to Boparai, the answer is not that simple. The risk of myopia also has to do with genetics and probably the fact that people spend less time outdoors in general.
“What we’re finding is that spending time outdoors has a bit of a protective effect against the progression of myopia,” he said. This means that a child who may already need glasses because their parents require them, for example, can reduce the risk of very high negative grades or very nearsightedness by spending more time outside.
Boparai said time spent outdoors can benefit the eyes in several ways: Exposure to daylight can be helpful, and being outdoors also usually means focusing far out in the distance, which allows the eye to adjust far out in instead of focusing upward. near.
It’s worth noting that most VR or mixed reality manufacturers typically have an age limit of around 12 or 13 years old. Such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology points outthis may be more due to the content of virtual, augmented or mixed reality worlds and games.
How to give your eyes a break
Regardless of your current reality, don’t forget to take a break from screens or digital experiences. Boparai recommends every 90 minutes to 2 hours to see if you can swing it. Preferably go outside and leave your phone or book indoors. This allows your eyes to relax and focus on objects that are more than just a few feet in front of your face.
“Actually, I do that personally,” Boparai said. “I’ll try to eat lunch outside or do something that gives the eyes a different workout.” If you need to be in front of a screen all the time for work or school purposes, consider sticking to the screen basic rule ’20-20-20′ watch from about 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.
If your eyes are dry, Kinast recommends a warm compress to help melt the oils and allow them to flow more easily into the tear film. A cool compress can help with swelling or itching.
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